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Stayed here last week for 2 nights to a hotel i found easily enough with directions on my first visit to amsterdam, it's more a gay friendly hotel as i noticed females were staying.

However the receptionist was kind in giving me maps and guides and advice.

Hotel is very very clean and the shower is fine. TV is excellent in room with BBC channels.Wifi connection is fine.

Only minus points are that it is a 20 mins walk from the main gay areas however it is right by club church, or you can get a tram down and the staircases are very narrow, steep and hard with luggage especially coming down.

I would stay here again, although i would prefer sumwhere more central

Stayed January 2014, traveled solo

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Ask Dudleyguy about Hotel the Golden Bear

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I really don't know about other rooms, but our double deluxe room was sooooo cosy! Perfectly cleaned and BIG. OK, the owners are in a perfect "northern style" of being (a bit detached), but they surely don't lack of politeness. And we didn't actually pay that more to have the deluxe room instead of the standard one.The location is perfect: 1 minute to Leidseplein.The stairs are what you expect to find in Netherlands, obviously not suggested to aged people.The smell of the water of Amsterdam channels sometimes arrives from the bathroom, but nothing unbearable.And the other little detail, if we want to be scrupulous, is that in our room at the very top of the building, internet wifi didn't arrive. But however, who cares about it in holiday?? We didn't.All this to say: we are a young couple and we've been very pleased to stay at The Golden Bear. I would suggest it and I think I will probably come back there.

Room Tip: I suggest the deluxe double room.

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Stayed December 2013, traveled as a couple

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Ask Giulia C about Hotel the Golden Bear

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Looking forward to my first trip to Amsterdam with friends, one of whom I was sharing a room with. As this friend is male and I am female, and both in committed relationships with other people, a room with twin beds had been booked in advance.After arriving at the hotel, wanting to relax before heading into city, we discovered that the room provided was nothing like it had been portrayed on the website by the booking provider. We could immediately see the room didn't meet our expectations or standards. The staircase that led to what could only be described as a dingy loft conversion were literally as steep as ladders. The decor was lifeless and furniture was a mishmash of tattered plywood cheap rubbish with a slight scent of damp in the air. On top of this it had a double bed!Therefore we went to reception and informed them we had booked a twin room not a double. The Receptionist immediately went on the defensive and was very unprofessional and informed us the hotel was now full and had the audacity to tell us that there was a futon in the room for which we could use as a second bed which folded out on to the floor. We told him that we had not paid good money to sleep on the floor. The Receptionist had informed us there was nothing he could do, management had left and he was just "an employee" and he could do no more for us. We insisted he phoned a manager to help resolve the issue, the Receptionist reluctantly agreed. We informed him that unless the issue was resolved, we would like a full refund and we would find alternate accommodation, as we did not want to pay for a service which was not being provided (a decent bed!!!)The Manager informed the Receptionist that there was nothing he could do, and if we did check out we would have to pay the first nights accommodation fee as this was standard procedure. When the Receptionist relayed this information to us, whilst on the phone to the Manager, we asked to speak directly to him. The Manager point blank refused to speak with us!!After arguing our case to the Receptionist we insisted he called the Manager back for a second attempt to put our case for a full refund to him. The second conversation with the so-called Manager resulted in an offer of another room in an alternative hotel. We agreed and the Receptionist was then left to give us the relevant details. It seemed by this time that the Receptionist had developed a negative attitude and become even less helpful and customer service skills were none existent. On top of being abrupt and dismissive, no offer of a taxi, public transport information or directions were made to get to the new hotel. A disgraceful way to treated.

Stayed November 2013, traveled on business

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Ask chicks79160 about Hotel the Golden Bear

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The rooms are old and a bit smelly--that is once you get to them.... Yes, the pictures don't lie. The staircases are terrible. That's Amsterdam to some degree. But seriously please think twice if you have luggage...it is pretty tortuous and you are on your own... Service at the hotel is non-existent and the tone of the staff-- cranky, condescending and marginally dictatorial ("you close the door fully at all times", call at 11:02-- "CHECK OUT IS AT 11!") no, not hello, just that...Breakfast is what you can expect from a 2 star hotel. Toast with some jam, a piece of ham and cheese plopped down in front of you. Don't ask for anything unless you're willing to deal with the passive aggressive wrath of the gentleman in the morning whose classical music you've interrupted. I wouldn't recommend this property.

Stayed September 2013, traveled on business

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Ask paestum70 about Hotel the Golden Bear

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My partner and I stayed at the hotel for 5 nights. We had a nice size top floor room with private bath. The room smelled of cigarette smoke when we arrived (even though it had no smoking posted on the door), but it cleared up after a day with the window open. The room was basic and clean with a comfortable double bed. The shower was very large for european standards. A reviewer complained about WIFI on the top floors, but we got an excellent fast signal. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The stay included a nice small breakfast every morning that was served until 11 AM. The hotel left fresh towels at our door everyday, but they did not provide daily housecleaning services which surprised and disappointed us a little. It's considered an LGBT hotel, but they welcome everyone and the guests were very diversified during our stay. The location was EXCELLENT and the Tram stop is right outside the hotel to Central station, shopping and red light district. Since all you do is walk in Amsterdam, this is was the perfect central location. So about those famous stairs!!... yes, they are VERY small and winding, it was an adventure lugging suitcases up and down, but it had no effect on my perception or review of the hotel. To us it was part of the Amsterdam charm. I viewed it as a great butt and leg workout, but I could see how it would be an inconvenience for older folks. There is no air conditioning, so it was a bit loud at night with the windows open facing the street, but no big deal. This was our first time in Amsterdam and it is now one of my favorite cities in the world. LOVE IT! We will definitely be back and would consider staying at this hotel again.

Stayed September 2013, traveled as a couple

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Ask TRL07307 about Hotel the Golden Bear

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Our hotel is centrally located in Amsterdam and free WiFi access throughout the hotel.
Each room here will provide you with a TV, a desk, ironing facilities and a fan.
Breakfast is served in Golden Bear's colourful breakfast room. The nearest supermarket is within 350 metres and there are many restaurants and bars in the direct surroundings of the hotel. Amsterdam's main shopping street Kalverstraat is 500 metres away....more less

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